PENANG, 3 September 2014 - Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) is able to help in contributing to the collection of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) sequencing stored at the Oceanic Genome Legacy (OGL), a non-profit marine research institute that is based in Massachusetts, USA.

A Nobel Laureate and OGL Board of Advisers member, Sir Richard J. Roberts, however, said that DNA genomes obtained from biological samples that are preserved in formalin may not be used for archiving at OGL because it cross-links the DNA.

Richard was awarded the 1993 Nobel Prize in Medicine and Physiology for the discovery of introns in eukaryotic DNA and the mechanism of gene-splicing.

“DNA obtained from dried specimens may be fragmented,” he cautioned the audience comprising lecturers, post-graduate students, researchers and CEMACS’ staff before adding that it would be best to obtain DNA sample from a live specimen.

On the importance of the storage of DNA profiles of various oceanic life forms, Richard said that in 20 to 40 years from now, scientists might be able to know the functions of each body part or organ of a marine creature from its genome without having to observe it in its natural habitat.

“With about 75 per cent of Earth’s surface covered by seas and oceans, our collection of 25,000 specimens is just a drop in the ocean,” Richard said at a talk presented at the USM’s Centre for Marine and Coastal Studies (CEMACS) at Teluk Bahang.

He said that OGL is funded by donations and grants and it mostly work at government level pertaining to the contribution of DNA profiles to the institute.

The talk by Robert was preceded with an introduction of CEMACS by the Centre's Director, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Shahrul Anuar Mohd. Sah, who said that CEMACS was established in 1991 to facilitate research and post-graduate training in Marine Science and Coastal Ecosystems. - Text and Photos: Yong Check Yoon